Among all of the accolades and attributes tied to country music’s patron saint Dolly Parton, perhaps her most lasting and impressive contribution is her songwriting. Over 3,000 published compositions have been penned by Dolly personally, including some of the most important songs in music history.
Founding guitarist for fast-rising and critically-acclaimed Southern rock band The Steel Woods, and long time session guitarist and touring member of Jamey Johnson’s backing band, Jason “Rowdy” Cope, has died according to the band. The Steel Woods shared the news Saturday evening.
It’s just unfortunate to even see the talk of cancelling Ricky Skaggs, discounting his music, disinviting him from future events, simply because he decided to accept an award he wholeheartedly deserved, and was likely to get from whomever was President at this moment.
It’s one of those rare occasions where an EP goes from from less than ideal, to just about perfect from the way it encapsulates a moment or a mood that may be diluted in a longer work. It’s a little gem of traditional country music, and a proper tribute to a dear loved one.
The news spread quickly, and put country music right in the middle of the political imbroglio. However, reports by Rolling Stone and other outlets that the awarding of the medal was a quote “reaction” to the impeachment are false. Instead, it was a preplanned ceremony orchestrated in advance.
Oh thank goodness. And all you wing nuts who believe the vaccine includes Bill Gates microchips or jellyfish plasma or whatever, hush up. We don’t want to hear any of it. We just want to hear that Willie Nelson is one step closer to not being the latest victim of COVID-19.
Country Music Hall of Famer Randy Travis was born and raised in North Carolina, and made his name in Nashville. But lately here it’s been Texas where Randy Travis has not only made his home, but been embraced as part of the community.
In the bleak midwinter, at a time when death and despair are hanging thick in the air, madness seems to be all around, and the Yuletide mood has all but worn off, perhaps it’s as good of a time as any aside from All Hallow’s Eve to delve into the dark, unsettled side of country music.
Like so many modern day true country fans, Tony Rice held a pretty outspoken distaste for what country music had become, and wasn’t afraid to speak about it publicly. “There’s still a lot of good music out there that John and Jane Doe will never hear.”
You can palpably feel the IQ points fleeing your gray matter while in audience with this audio monstrosity. It is not scientifically possible to engineer a conflagration of audio signals that is more indolent, and damaging to the psyche and intellect than this abomination.
Aaron Watson is enigmatic in the way that you won’t find someone more fiercely dedicated to the independent approach to country music in all of its facets, but who will also still release songs that feel like they’re prattling for commercial acceptance …
British film director Michael Apted died on Thursday, January 7th, and though this may not be a name you recognize or see as noteworthy in the country music realm on the surface, the Cambridge-educated film icon played a major part in telling one of the most compelling stories in country music history.
Turning the stereotype that country music can only come from the Southern United States squarely on its head, The Divorcees have been eastern Canada’s favorite honky tonk band for going on 15 years now, and promise to continue to hold that distinction with the drop of their latest record ‘Drop of Blood.’
There are many legendary country songs, and many legendary country songwriters. But few songs are as synonymous with country music to the point where they’re so well-recognized and can be recited by those well outside the country fold like “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys.”
So much for 2021 being better than 2020, at least so far. But true country fans do have something to look forward to as Cody Jinks has dropped a couple of succulent hints about what he might have in store for 2020. “Demos are done on 20 new songs. Now we just need to schedule some studio time.”
From the Grammy-winning song “Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout the Good Old Days)” that became the signature song from The Judds, to Gary Allan’s first #1 hit “Man To Man,” to Ronnie McDowell’s #1 “Older Woman,” songwriter Jamie O’Hara made major contributions to the songbook of country music.
The 70-minute film ‘Nothing Stays The Same: The Story of the Saxon Pub’ might be about a specific venue in Austin. But even if you’ve never been to Austin, the film offers a great encapsulation of why it’s so critical to preserve these performance spaces.
Tapping into the long-standing tradition in country music of the murder ballad, “no body, no crime” features two members of the sister trio Haim. The song tells the story of Este (also the name of Haim’s oldest sister), who suspects her husband of cheating, tells a friend, and then goes missing.
The second night of a two-night residency at the The Ryman Auditorium in Nashville—a.k.a the “Mother Church of Country Music”—Waylon Jennings held court with a now legendary band, and numerous special guests. It did constitute a proper final bow.
Look, I’ve made an entire career out of rearing back and reefing guys like Blake Shelton and their bad “country” songs square in the nuts. But the flack he is receiving over this dumb “Minimum Wage” song is completely unfounded and inappropriate.
Loretta Lynn will be joined by numerous guests, and celebrate the legacy of women in country music with her latest album called Still Woman Enough, set for release on March 19th via Sony’s Legacy Records imprint. Co-produced by Loretta’s daughter Patsy Lynn Russell and John Carter Cash at the Cash Cabin Studios.
The Dimestore Cowboys out of Johnson City, Tennessee have that blue-collar, local honky tonk feel to them, imbuing the band with the authenticity that results in international appeal for those who know what country music is supposed to sound like, and be about.
It’s not what Florida Georgia Line said. It’s what they didn’t say, and what they felt compelled to answer when really nobody was asking any questions. Now many are wondering about the future of one of country music’s most popular and vilified duos.
The Saving Country Music Top 25 Playlist is built to keep you informed on all the best songs and albums coming out right here, right now in country and roots music. It’s available on most all streaming formats. New songs have just been added.
